The Sims Mobile Guide

The Sims Mobile looks like it’s based on The Sims 4 on the PC, what with all the talk about shaping families over multiple generations and unlocking heirlooms and hobbies for future offspring. At first glance, the game looks and feels like The Sims reminiscent to the desktop game just with mobile-friendly controls, but lo and behold as we see that energy bar hovering on the top left side of the screen. The epitome of a cash grab comes in the form of an energy bar but I told myself to perhaps give the game a chance as not all games with the energy system are one and the same. Thus, I proceeded to analyze the other features of The Sims Mobile. The Sims Mobile does let you add your friends who are playing the game, and you can befriend them and event hold parties in-game with them, adding to that socialite touch. However, the limitations are apparent with the energy system as every action requires you to use energy, which can be annoying as your energy capacity is usually never enough to finish the whole event, forcing you to constantly log in again at a later period to finish the same event.

The Sims is probably a household name synonymous with electrical fires and random pool murders. Some might even mistake the game for an interior design simulator but let's not kid ourselves here. Well, recently, we got to try out the new Sims Mobile which was released for the iOS and the Android, and early looks proved to be deceiving.The character customisation definitely does appeal to longtime fans of Sims, with a diverse wardrobe to choose from after you pass the tutorial stage with the catch being you have to earn tons of in-game currency to be the snazziest Sim of them all. Players can choose to customize body characteristics, fashion apparel, and accessories which are all part and parcel of the game. One of the key attractions from the Sims franchise is undoubtedly the furniture customisation system. Similar to its desktop brethren, Sims Mobile will bring back a wide variety of furniture back to the game, all at the cost of in-game currency and real cash. The cash items, however, are sadly more effective than the normal furniture as they can provide additional benefits to your sims when compared to the normal items.

 

The progression system faces the same issue, as energy seems to be used for everything in this game, which gives players like me who enjoy persistent gameplay annoyed. As you Sims level up, you can gain perks and unlock better careers while advancing through those careers itself is a grind, as you repeat the same event over and over again until your level progresses. Like the Sims, 4 you can edit your Sims physique, build and muscle tone which I was really impressed with. Even the hairstyles and clothing is from the Sims 4. I know this caused some controversy with keen Simmers as you pay for clothing and hairstyles in stuff packs. When you first create your Sim you are fairly limited with your choices, unlocking clothing and hairstyles as you go and even paying for them with your Sims hard earned cash. You also start with very basic traits with the chance to unlock more as you progress through the game. Though a free game, you are going to have to work through the quests to unlock everything or spend your own money to do so faster. For some this will be a pain however I like having something to work towards and this will keep me playing. It’s also worth noting that you can go back and edit your Sim’s clothing and hair throughout the game, unless your Sim is doing a task.

While it's hard to ignore the wait timers, I shall put them aside to go over the rest of the gameplay. To start, when you open the game you will create a Sim in the provided creator. There are a plethora of options, so you should be able to make a Sim to your liking. Once you have created your Sim, you will be dropped outside of your new starter house. From here you are walked through interactions with NPCs as well as shown how to decorate your home through ordering and paying for furniture. Once you are familiar with the housing aspect, the game moves you on to finding a job. This will take place in a separate environment. You can get there by using the world map since The Sims Mobile is not an open world game. Once you are at the coffee shop, you will start a career event. This means you will have a bunch of tasks to complete in order to finish the event. Which really sums up the gameplay perfectly. You jump in and out of these events ever so slowly leveling up your character and earning some in-game currency.

I'd be surprised if there wasn't someone amongst our readers who hadn't played or watched someone play a The Sims game. Aside from making a little family of you, your crush at the time, and the ten babies you'd have, the PC version was an almost zen-like experience as you made your own home (definitely NOT by spamming 'motherlode' over and over again). The Sims Mobile actually looks like it takes a decent swing at that experience, as opposed to the route taken in The Sims Freeplay. Much like the PC version, the whole process of customisation is much more detailed. Plus, with unlockable heirlooms you can shape your family's careers through the generations.